System and method for preventing cross-contamination in flow generation systems

Abstract

A system for preventing cross-contamination in single-limb ventilators is described. In one embodiment, the system includes an airflow generator connected in-line to a humidifier, a first check valve and a patient interface by a gas flow circuit. A controller is electrically coupled to the airflow generator, and a cartridge is connected to the gas flow circuit between a first point downstream of the humidifier and a second point upstream of the patient interface. The cartridge includes a bacteria filter and the first check valve. A method for preventing cross-contamination in single-limb ventilators and a method for providing gaseous flow through a single-limb ventilator are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A ventilator system comprising:
 an airflow generator connected in-line to a humidifier, which is connected in line to a first check valve, which is connected in line to a patient interface connection by an inhalation flow circuit; 
 a controller electrically coupled to the airflow generator; 
 a second check valve connected in-line to a bacterial filter along an exhalation flow circuit, the exhalation flow circuit connected to the inhalation flow circuit between a first junction upstream of the humidifier and a second junction downstream of the first check valve, so as to prevent cross-contamination between the inhalation flow circuit and the exhalation flow circuit; 
 an exhalation valve electrically coupled to the controller and connected to the inhalation flow circuit downstream of the airflow generator and upstream of the humidifier; 
 a removable cartridge containing the bacterial filter and the first check valve; and 
 a housing comprising a cavity, the housing configured so that the first check valve is connected in-line with the inhalation flow circuit and the bacterial filter is connected in-line with the exhalation flow circuit when the cartridge is fully inserted into the cavity. 
 
     
     
       2. The ventilator system of  claim 1 , wherein the removable cartridge houses the second junction. 
     
     
       3. The ventilator system of  claim 1 , wherein the exhalation valve is one of a voice coil actuator, stepper motor valve, proportional solenoid valve and pneumatically piloted balloon valve. 
     
     
       4. The ventilator system of  claim 1 , wherein the first check valve is configured to restrict an upstream flow of gas. 
     
     
       5. The ventilator system of  claim 1 , wherein the second check valve is configured to restrict a downstream flow of gas. 
     
     
       6. The ventilator system of  claim 1 , further comprising a flow sensor electrically coupled to the controller and connected to the inhalation flow circuit downstream of the airflow generator and upstream of the humidifier. 
     
     
       7. The ventilator system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensor electrically coupled to the controller and connected to the inhalation flow circuit downstream of the airflow generator and upstream of the humidifier. 
     
     
       8. The ventilator system of  claim 1 , wherein a first side of the housing is connected to the airflow generator and a second, opposite side of the housing is connected to the humidifier. 
     
     
       9. The ventilator system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing and at least one of the airflow generator and the humidifier are further contained in a single device housing. 
     
     
       10. A gas flow system comprising:
 an airflow generator connected in-line to a humidifier, a first check valve and a patient interface connection by an inhalation flow circuit; 
 a controller electrically coupled to the airflow generator; 
 a second check valve connected in-line to a bacterial filter along an exhalation flow circuit, the exhalation flow circuit connected to the inhalation flow circuit between a first junction upstream of the humidifier and a second junction downstream of the first check valve, so as to prevent cross-contamination between the inhalation flow circuit and the exhalation flow circuit; 
 a removable cartridge containing the bacterial filter and the first check valve; and 
 a housing comprising a cavity, the housing configured so that the first check valve is connected in-line with the inhalation flow circuit and the bacterial filter is connected in-line with the exhalation flow circuit when the cartridge is fully inserted into the cavity. 
 
     
     
       11. The gas flow system of  claim 10 , wherein the removable cartridge houses the second junction. 
     
     
       12. The gas flow system of  claim 10 , further comprising an exhalation valve, wherein the exhalation valve is one of a voice coil actuator, stepper motor valve, proportional solenoid valve and pneumatically piloted balloon valve. 
     
     
       13. The gas flow system of  claim 10 , wherein the first check valve is configured to restrict an upstream flow of gas. 
     
     
       14. The gas flow system of  claim 10 , wherein the second check valve is configured to restrict a downstream flow of gas. 
     
     
       15. The gas flow system of  claim 10 , further comprising a flow sensor electrically coupled to the controller and connected to the inhalation flow circuit downstream of the airflow generator and upstream of the humidifier. 
     
     
       16. The gas flow of  claim 10 , further comprising a pressure sensor electrically coupled to the controller and connected to the inhalation flow circuit downstream of the airflow generator and upstream of the humidifier. 
     
     
       17. The gas flow system of  claim 10 , wherein the gas flow system is a ventilator system. 
     
     
       18. The gas flow system of  claim 10 , wherein a first side of the housing is connected to the airflow generator and a second, opposite side of the housing is connected to the humidifier. 
     
     
       19. The gas flow system of  claim 10 , wherein the housing, and at least one of the airflow generator and humidifier are further contained in a single device housing.